Selective signaling system and apparatus



Aprii 4, 1950 G. s. KEYES SELEC'IIIVE SIGNALING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 15, 1947 INVENTOR GEORGE c. KEYES a I 8Y6 A W WATTQRNEY A E-fill 4, 1950 e. G. KEYES 2,502,654

SELECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15, 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR GEORGE G. KEYES ATTORNEY Apn'ifl 4%, 1950 e. e. KEYES 2,502,654

SELECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15, 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 I m m INVENTOR .GEORGE G. KEYES TORNEY Apt-H14, 1950 S KEYE 2,502,654

SELECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15, 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 GEORGE G. KEYES eff? AT ORNEY Apifiifl 4, 195(2 5. G. KEYES ,5

SELECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15, 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 iNVENTOR GEORGE G. KEYES ATTORNEY G. G. KEYES SELECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Aprifi 4,, 195@ 10 Sheets-Sheefl 6 Filed Nov. 15, 1947 lull April 4-, 1959 Filed Nov. 15, 1947 G. G. KEYES SELECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS 10 sheets-sheet 7 INVENTOR I GERGE EYE-5 ATTORNEY Apwill 4% 1195@ G. G. KEYES SELECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS 1o Sheiets-Sheet 8 Filed Nov. 15, 1947 GEORGE KEYS ATTORNEY A rifl 4, W50 7 g e. G. KEYES 2,

SELECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15, i947 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 v ,INVENTOR GEORGE G. KEYES AT'ILORNEY April 4, 1950 I 6. ca. KEYES 2,502,654

I SELECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15, 1947 I Y 1o Sheets-Sheet 10 4s @TEPA L y v Ma mm ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 4, 1950 SELECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS George G. Reyes, Chicago, 111., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application November 15, 1947, Serial No. 786,171

The present invention pertains to printing telegraph systems and more particularly to transmission control systems.

It is the primary object of the invention to provide in an arrangement which is entirely automatic when initiated into operation upon the actuation of a single key for collecting previously prepared information a means for automatically inserting time indicating codes.

Another object of the invention is the provi sion of a transmission control system having instrumentalities associated with a centrally located station for seizing control of the line circuit', thereafter controlling the order in which a series of stations connected thereto is caused to transmit previously prepared messages to such centrally located stations and automatically inserting time indicating code signals.

Specifically, the present invention provides automatic selective'transm'ission contro1 for use in connection with preliminary collection of weather information over a telegraph communication system. Control of this system is provided by primary sequential control equipment located at the primary switching center or master control station on the loop' circuit. The system according to the present invention utilizes selector equipment at each way station, which is always connected to the line and surveys the in-- formation passing overthe line.

A sequence collection transmission on this system starts: with the transmission from the primary of central station of a predetermined sequence of characters which includes one or more letter station identification for the first way station from which transmission is desired. At this point transmission from the primary or central station equipment ceases and the secondary or way station equipment, recognizing the condition code, identification letters codes of its station, and the lock codes starts transmission of the message (for example, weather information) waitin in the form of previously prepared per- Iorated tape. At the conclusion of this message. end of message signals in the message tape are transmitted to shut down transmission from the Way station and activate the final or central station equipment to transmit the station identifi cation letters of the next desired way station to be called in. The sequence of transmission of station identification letters at the primary station is contained in a continuous loop of perforated tape. The loop of tape'need be changed only when a rearrangement of the order in which station'transmission occurs is desired.

In the system according to the present inven tion, it is contemplated that weather information shall be collected hourly, at which time's transmission of such information, which has been previously prepared on perforated tape from each station will occur automatically under the control of the master control station in predetermined order in response to the operation of a switch at the master control station. However, a prerequisite to automatic operation under the control of the primary or master control station is the act of the way station to place the equipmen'ttherea't in automatic condition, which condition is'established' by the insertion of the tape, and operation of a key indicative of automatic operation, thus making the way station receptive to control by the master control station. Pursuant tothe operation ofsaid' switch, the entire sequence selection will take place automatically. As a preliminary to transmission, the primary or master control station equipment opens the line for a predetermined interval to stop any transmitter distributor which may be operating on the circuit. Following this, a sequence collection switch is operated and a socalled sequence collection heading is transmitted from the control tape in the primary (or central station) transmitter distributor. This heading comprises a group of signal codes, which precedes each hourly weather sequence collection, which information is included in the aforementionedcontinuous loop of tape; for example, letters code, station identification (call letters of the central* or master control station), car riagereturn code, aplurality of'lin'e feed signals, A and W character codes (signifying airway weather), space'signal, shift signal; circuit of origin number, space, shift signal, date-time group codes, letters? carriage return, and line feed. The foregoing codes control the page printer inthe" following manner: The letters code places the printer inc'ondition to'print' lower case characters. The station identification letters are then printed on thepage, and the carriage return signal returns the carriage t0 the beginning of the line 'p'o sition. A plurality of line feed signals provide a space between the station heading and the first line ofp'rinting. The first characters, for example, are AW mean ing airway weather. Then the circuit of origin number is printed, followed by the date and time and *zone when the weather informationistaken, afterwhich' the printeris positioned in the unshift position, the carriage is returned to the" beginning-of line-position and the paper is" spaced to present the next line of printing preparatory to receiving the weather reports from the several way stations. Then th proper condition, select and lock codes of the first way station are transmitted, after which the primary station transmitter distributor stops. The equipment at the selected way station responds to these codes and starts transmission of the data contained in the perforated tape at the Way station (for example, the weather information).

At the end of the data (for weather information) transmission, an unlock code is transmitted by the way station. This code stops the transmitter distributor at the outlying or way station and is recognized by the primary or master control unit and its associated relay bank for the purpose of starting the transmission of the actuating codes for the next way station to be called in.

Reference is made to copending application Serial No. 599,322 filed June 14, 1945, by W. J. Zenner, which discloses related subject matter. Said copending application covers a transmission control system wherein a centrally located station not only controls the order in which a series of stations connected thereto are caused to transmit previously prepared messages to said centrally located station, but also automatically inserts predetermined missing code groups indicative of message termination. The arrangement. according to the present invention differs from said disclosure in that special facilities are provided for automatically inserting time indicating code signals indicative of the date and time.

A better understanding of the invention may be had from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the control unit;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the control unit showing the selector mechanism;

Figs. 3 and 3A are views showing the main shaft clutch mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a top viewof the control unit;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmental cross sectional view showing the corresponding portion of Fig. 5 in an operated position;

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of the gate;

Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are fragmental sectional views and front elevation, respectively, showing features of the pivoted bail and the signal testing device;

. Figs. 11 and 12 are fragmental views illustrating the sixth vane control mechanism;

Fig. 13 is a detail view of the pivoted bail member;

Fig. 14 is a view of an alternate form of latch lever releasing means; 7

Fig. 15 is a circuit diagram of an alternate form of signal testing device;

Figs. 16, 17, 18, and 19 are circuit diagrams comprising the electrical operating circuit at the central or master station;

Fig. 20 is a view showing the manner of matching the Figs. 16, 17, 18, and 19;

Fig. 21 is an electrical circuit for the way station; and

Fig. 22 is a diagram of the loop circuit embodying the arrangement according to the present invention.

Having reference to the drawings, the control unit according to the invention comprises a structure which is composed of side plates H and I2, and a plurality of crossbars, hereinafter specifically referred to, which are secured to the side plates to form a rigid framework for the arrangement of the mechanism for achieving the various objects and functions of the invention. Referring to Fig. 2, there is mounted on the outside of side plate ll of the aforesaid structure (also shown on the left side of the apparatus, as viewed in Fig. l) is a selector mechanism, generally indicated as l3, which is responsive to received code combinations of signaling impulses. The selector mechanism I3 is of the type shown in United States Patent No. 1,745,633 granted February 4, 1930, to S. Morton et al., and comprises a selector magnet M which is connected in the line circuit and controls an armature l5. Magnet [4 is supported on a bracket 16 carried on a selector mounting plate ll. Plate 11 is held in spaced relation with side plates II by suitable spacing elements l8.

The selector mechanism l3 comprises a set of five selector elements in the form of thin, fiat fingers l9 arranged in substantial overlapping relation between suitable guide plates 2!. These plates 2! are mounted on studs 22 and spaced by washers (not shown). The circular rear ends 20 of the fingers or swords l9 engage corresponding sockets 23 in a corresponding series of thin fiat bell cranks 24 pivoted on a common shaft 25. Individual springs 26 normally hold the bell cranks and selector swords into the position shown in Fig. 2 with the pointed rear end 21 of the bell cranks 24 in contact with a cam barrel 28 on shaft 29 which is driven continuously through interconnecting gears 3| and 32 and cross shaft 33 by a properly regulated motor (not shown), the driving connection between the shaft 29 and the cam barrel 28 being established through friction clutches 34 and 35 (Fig. l)

The cam barrel 28 is provided with a helically arranged series of cams 36, one for each of the bell cranks 24, which rotates the bell cranks 24 (five in the present instance) in succession and thus reciprocates longitudinally the succession of selector swords l9 as the cam barrel 28 is rotated. In addition to the longitudinal movement, the selector swords I9 have a lateral pivoting movement between a pair of stops 31.

The setting of any selector sword l9 either to its right-hand or to its left-hand position is determined by the selector magnet M. The magnet armature I5 is fixed to a flutter lever 38 which is pivoted on a stud shaft 39 carried in the mounting plate 17. Mounted on a pivot shaft 4| adjustably positioned and adjacent to, and in cooperative relation with the flutter lever 38 is a selector lever 42. Lever 42 terminates at its free end in a U-shaped portion 43 having downwardly extending arms 44 and 45 which constitute abutments which cooperate with arms 46 and 47 on the rear end of selector swords l9 and act to position the latter in either a right-hand or left-hand position. The several swords I9 act through a corresponding number of rocker levers 48, arranged between the guide plates 2| and pivotally mounted on a stud shaft 49, to position a set of notched members 5!. Levers 48 are pivotally articulated to the bar '5! through means comprising the ball-shaped ends of the levers 48 cooperating with notches 52 in the permutation bars 5i The permutation bars 5| are slidably carried in a pair of comb guide bars 53 and 54 extendasoegcsa ing from. and. attached; to side. plate ll. Each.

of the permutation bars is provided with. a notch which engages operatively the end. of a vane member 55 to 60., inclusive.

The springs 2-6 associated withv the bell cranks 24 normally hold the selector swords [9 in their forward position and in. engagement with the rocker levers 48; and each permutation bar 5|; thus isheld in either one orthe other of its. two positions according to the position of the associated selector sword #9 against one or the other of its stops El.

As the signal impulses are received, the selector magnet l which is connected. either directly in the line. or throughv a line relay responds only to oneof the two: different electrical conditions comprising the signals and seizes its armature when :aj-markingv impulse is received, and releases it when a. spacing signal. is received, while the selector fingers or swords l9 are reciprocated successively in synchronism with the signal by the cams 3B of the spiral series of cams on the cam. barrel 28. The arms 45 and 47 are thereby brought into cooperative relation with the abutments 44 and 45 at the corresponding signal intervals, thereupon setting the selector fingers or swords |9- in their variant combinations. In practical operation, however, in order to insure the alignment of abutments 44 and 45 and arms 46. and 41 in their respective cooperative positions, limiting stops may be provided for the member 42 analogous to. stops 3? for the swords 19. The particular selector mechanism shown in Fig. 1 is of the'assisted armature type shown in United States Patent No 1,937,376, issued to W. J. Zenner, wherein. the armature I5 is assisted to the poles of the magnet M by the action of a star wheel cam 6| upon the lever arm 38, and the selector lever 42 is resiliently connected to the lever arm 38.

As previously mentioned, the normal condition of the line is marking, and hence the line mag.- net It is normally energized. During the first line impulse or start interval which is of spacing nature, the electromagnet i4 is de-energized,

and the movement of the armature lever l5 which will be actuated; by its spring 62 will cause the set screw 63 to shift the. plunger 64 to initiate operation or rotation of the selector cam.

barrel, as clearly described in the aiore-mentioned patent to Zenner. The cycle of operation; of the cam barrel 28 thus is initiated. Stop arm 65' is thus released and the cam barrel 28 is permitted to rotate one cycle, which cycle is terminate-d ina well-known manner. by the recep tion. of a stop impulse.

Thus, as the cam barrel 28 is rotated, the cams act to actuate the bell crank lever 24 counterclockwise (as viewed in Fig. 2) to reciprocate the swords 59, thereby bringing the arm 46' or 4? into contact with abutments 44 or 45 depending upon whether the selector magnet [4 has responded to a marking or aspacing condition. Then, the levers 24 are actuated clockwise to bring the swords i9. into contact with onev or the other arms 56 or *3! of the rocker lever 48. The:

rocker levers 48 then actuate the permutation,

bars 5! rightwardly or leftwardly (as viewed in Fig. 2) according to whether a marking signal or a spacing signal has been received. As: previously mentioned, each of the bars 51 is notched to engage a. single vane -55 to 59, inclusive, so that as the bars 5! are selected or actuated per-- mutatively the respective vanes 55 to 59 will be rocked. correspondingly.

The. vanes; 55; to 59-. rest in. V-shaped grooves:

or notches formed in a. pain ofv supporting bars 68' (Fig. 5) one: in. proximity to each of the sideplates H- and i2 and are. adapted to rock about the l -shaped grooves: as. fulorums. in: Fig. 5,, the vanes-are biased to their clockwise. or counterclockwise positionby an overcentering spring 69 (only one such spring being shown in.

5d are a plurality of selectable bars 16 which are; pivoted at the rear of the structure (to the left as viewed in Fig. 5) on a pivot shaft ll carried on brackets 78' mounted on a cross bar 19 extending between and connected to the side plates H and 12. The selectable bars. 16 are provided with a pair of studs 8| and. 82 which are adapted to be engageable by a code element 83; one such element being associated with a. selectable bar it. The code elements 83 are provided with deep open ended slots 84, and the. free ends of the tines being beveled to permit ready application of the code element 83 over the studs 81 and 82. The upper tine is provided with av cam. bevel 85 which serves to impart pressure upon the stud 8!. to maintain the code element 83 securely in place. The code elements 83 are provided on their bottom edges adjacent the vanes lit; to. 5a with wards and notches permutatively arranged according: to the symbols or characters the particular selectable bar represents. The code elements. 33. are each provided at the righthand extremity, as shown in Fig. 5, with a means for receiving the insignia plate 86.

The'seriesof selectable bare it are guided vertically in a comb bar 8'! and are adapted to rest upon a. bail 88 which is pivotally mounted on the shaft i7. Individual springs 89 act to bias each of the selectable barsagainst the bail 88, the

springs extending from projections ti on the selectable bars 16 to. a spring bar 92 fixed to a cross bar 93 extending between and connected to the side plates l I and I 2. When. the selectable bars "it rest normally upon the bail 88' the wards and notches of the code elements 83 are held away from thevanes 55 to 59.

The operating means for, bail 88 comprises a. link 94 pivotally connected at 95- to the bail 88, the other end of the link. 94 being connected at 96. to a bracket 91 carried on a rock shaft H8 journaled in the side plates II and I2. Also secured to the rock shaft 98 is a bracket. 99 the outward end of which. is pivotally connected to an eccentric HH mounted operatively on the main shaft 29. Thus, as the shaft 29 rotates, the eccentric Hll will, through bracket 99, cause the rock shaft 98' to rock and thus, through a toggle action between the bracket 91 and link 94 the bail 88 will be oscillated.

Also carried on the main operating shaft 29' is an eccentric I 02 which is connected to a bracket [03 carried on a second rock shaft I04 journaled in the side plates H and i2. Rock shaft m4 is provided with a depending bracket I 05- which is pivotally connected to a link 186, the other end of the link H16 being pivotally As shown.

7 connected to a bail, generally indicated as I01.

Bail I01 comprises a pair of side members I06 and I09 which are pivotally supported on individual studs III secured to the side plates II and I2. Thus, when the main shaft 29 is rotated, the eccentric I02 is reciprocated vertically to impart, through arm I03, a rocking motion to rocker shaft I04, which through link I06 oscillates bail I01 backwardly and forwardly (the right-hand side of the structure shown in Fig. 2 being considered the front thereof). Bail I01 also includes a bail blade II2 which is mounted on a pair of supports H3 pivotally carried on each of the side members I08 and I09 by means of pivots II4.

Carried on pivots II5 on each of the side members 103 and I05 are a pair of latches II6 which are united by an inverted U-shaped bar II1 spaced above and substantially parallel to the bail blade H2. Then, when the bail I01 is operated, elements H2, H3, and H6 also move with it. The action of the latch H6 and pivoted support of blade II2 will appear hereinafter.

Each of the selectable bars 16 is provided with a depending portion IIB having a shoulder IIB. Portions I I8 are guided in a comb bar I2I and certain of the bars 16 are provided with a longer depending portion IIB for cooperating with the bar H1 in a manner to be described presently. Cooperating with the shoulder H9 of bars 16 are a corresponding series of pull bars I22 adapted to rest on a cross bar I23 extending between and united to side plates II and I2. Pull bars I22 are pivotally articulated to a corresponding series of levers I24 through individual pivot studs I25 carried on said levers I24. Levers I24 are pivotally mounted on a pivot shaft I26 carried in a pair of brackets E21 mounted on the cross bar 93. Levers I24 are provided with depending arms I28 through which said levers I24 are guided in a comb bar I20 secured to a cross bar I3I extending between and connected to the side plates I I and I2. Each of the bars I 24 is normally biased downwardly by an individual spring I32 distended between a hook I33 on the bar I24 and a spring oar I3 -i carried on the bottom of the cross bar I3I. Thus, by means of springs I32 the bars I24 are normally adapted to rest upon the cross bar I23. A spring I35 extends between bar I24 and the pull bar I22 and normally acts to bias the pull bar I22 in a clockwise direction about the stud I25. The pull bars I22 are normally guided in the guide comb I ZI.

As will presently appear, the code bars 16 upon selection will, through their shoulders H9, engage the pull bars I22, whereupon the bail 88 will lift the code bar and the engaged pull bar to thereby pivot the bar I24 associated with the operated pull bar I22 about its pivot I26 against the action of its individual spring I32. Associated with each bar I24 is a latch member I36, which is one of a series of latch levers pivotally carried on a pivot rod I31 journaled in the side plates II and I2. The latch levers I36 are guided in an upper comb I38 and a lower comb bar I39 secured to a cross bar I4I which extends between and is connected to the side plates II and I2. The latch levers I36 are provided with projections I42 individual thereto, which are of variable widths to cooperate with the bail blade II 2 when it is desired to release shoulder I43 of the latch lever I36 from the hook portion I44 integral with the bar I24. Certain of the latch levers I36 are provided with a lower extending end I45 the purpose of which will hereinafter ap pear.

A spring I46 connects the upper end of a latch lever with an associated blocking lever I41. The series of blocking levers I41 corresponds to the series of latch levers I36 and is carried pivotally upon a pivot rod I48 journaled in the bracket I49 mounted on the crossbar I. The blocking levers I41 are also guided in the combs I38 and I39.

Each blocking lever I41 is provided adjacent its upper end with a shoulder I5I which in the vertical position of bar I41, as shown in Fig. 5, acts to block or prevent the selection of an associated code bar 16. To enable the selection of a code bar 16 the blocking lever I41 associated therewith is swung clockwise about its pivot I48 by the co-action of stud I52, carried at the lower extremity of lever I41, and cam surface I53 on lever I24. The extension I45 when present on a latch lever I36, cooperates with a cam surface I54 on the lever I24. Levers I24 are guided near their forward end by a guide comb bai- I55 secured to a block I56 secured to side plates I I and Secured to the upper and lower surfaces of blocks I56 are a pair of bars I51 and I58 which serve as guides for plungers or interponents I56 positioned beneath the outer or forward extremities of levers I24. Each plunger I59 serves to operate a contact assembly I6I associated therewith. Contact assemblies I6I each comprise a pair or contacts I62 and I63, and are secured to a cross bar I64 extending between and connected to the side plates II and I2.

In Fig. 6 is shown the respective levers and bars in one of their operated positions. The lever 16 is shown in its upward position after having been selected and reciprocated vertically to engage the pull bar I22. The pull bar I22 through the stud I25 has raised the lever I24 upwardly so that the cam surface I53 of the lever I24 has cooperated with the stud I52 of the blocking lever I41 to swing or rotate the blocking lever I41 clockwise upon its pivot shaft I48, thus tensioning the spring I46. The lever I24 has been raised so that its hook portion I44 is in latching engagement with the shoulder I43 of the latch lever I36. The levers I36 and I24 remain in latching engagement through the action of spring I46.

Since all of the blocking levers normally assume their vertical position, as shown in Fig. 5, the shoulders I5I of the blocking levers I41 are all in a position to block the rotative or selective movement of their respective bars 16, thus precluding the possibility of effecting a selection. Thus it becomes necessary in order to initiate the sequential selection of the bars I41 in accordance with the code designation of the particular station at which the unit is located to manually actuate one of the blocking levers I41 to its clockwise position enabling the selection of the first of the series of bars 16 and to remove the shoulder I5I from the path of the bar 16. Therefore, an instrumentality herein identified as a gate I65, shown in Fig. 6 and also shown in detail in Fig. 7, is provided, to be inserted in a slot in the guide bar I39 in front of its respective blocking lever so that the blocking lever I41 is actuated to its clockwise position to move the shoulder I5I out of cooperative relation with the front of the bar 16.

In Fig. 13 is shown a detailed view of the bail member I01, previously mentioned as comprising side members I08 and 109 (only side member I 06 is shown in Fig. 12), bail lblade II2, supports II 3, latches H6, and bar II1. As previously described, bail I01 is pivotally carried on studs III and is oscillated by the link I06 attached at I10 to the side member I08. As mentioned hereinbefore, the bail blade II 2 is carried on a pair of supports II3 each of which is pivoted on studs I14 secured to the side frames I08 and I09. Bail blade H2 is suitably notched to cooperate with a pair of latches I I 6 each provided with a pair of stepped shoulders I 66 and I61. A support H3 and a latch I I 6 comprise a pair of elements which are attrahently biased by a spring I66 extending therebetween.

Bail blade II2 is adapted to normally engage the shoulder or step I66 of latch '6 to hold said bail in operative relation with lugs I69 of certain latching levers I36. Upon the selective operation of certain selectable lever members 16, the depending arm of I1! thereof, which is longer than the arms II 8 at the normal levers 16, will co-act with the inverted U-shaped bar III (which is attached to the latches H6) to actuate latches II6 counterclockwise against the pull of spring I68 to disengage shoulder I66 from bail blade I I2, and permit the supports 1 I3, carrying bail blade II 2, to respond to the pull of a spring I 12 (which is slightly stronger than spring I68) to bring the edge thereof into engagement with the shoulder I61. The bail blade II2 thus is brought into operative relation with the lug I42 of the bars I 41 when the bail I01 is rotated or rocked in a rightward direction. Vllhen the bail I01 is rocked in a counterclockwise or left- I ward dir ction the supports 3 .strike individual eccentric stud members I13 which are so adjusted that the movement of the bail I01 causes the supports II 3 to be rocked counterclockwise to engage the blade II2 on shoulder I66. Thus, upon each oscillation of bail I01, the eccentric stud members I13 undertake to return the bail IIZ to its position in engagement with shoulder I66 so that when the bail has been disengaged from the shoulder I66, through the selection of I predetermined ones of levers 16, and engaged by shoulder I61, the ensuing counterclockwise movement of bail I01 will cause the supports II3 to strike the stud I13, thereby camming supports I I3 counterclockwise on its pivot I I4 to effect the re-engagement of blade I12 with shoulder I66.

In Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are shown details of the signal testing device, according to the present invention. Having reference to Fig. .8, there is secured to the cross bar I 4| by means of screws I16 a bracket I16 for supporting the mechanism for the signal test feature of the invention. The common shaft I46 for the blocking levers I41 is mounted on the end brackets I 49 secured to the cross bar I'4I, as previously described. The bracket I16 for supporting the signal testing mechanism is located just beyond and to the rear (as viewed in Fig. 8) of the bracket I49. The blocking lever I41, shown in Fig. 8, is particularly assigned to the RY combination (for example, K I

the letter of characters R and Y). This blocking lever I41 is connected by a bridge I11 to an adjacent blocking lever I18 which has its lower portion removed or cut off.

Bracket I16 is provided with a pair of pivot studs I19 and IIlI on which are 'pivotally suppcrted lever arms I62and I63,,respectively. Lever arm I 82 is provided at its free end with plate I34 having a target I85 and finger piece I66. The target I66 is provided with three colored iii areas; namely, a red area I81, a green area I88, and awhite area I89 viewable through an aperture I 9! in the front plate I92. Lever arms I82 and I 83 are normally biased counterclockwise about their pivots by individual springs I93 and I94, respectively, extending between said lever arms and a laterally directed flange on the bracket I16.

Lever arm I63 is provided with a laterally directed flange I95 which cooperates with a pair of levers I96 and I91 of similar design mounted on .the latch lever shaft I31. Each of the levers I96 and I91 .are provided with springs I46 extending between these levers I96 and I91 and of blocking levers I41, the same as previously described in connection with the latch levers I46. The levers 16 assigned to the R and Y characters are each provided with a depending portion I90 comparable to portion II8 of the other levers except that these depending portions I96 are not provided withany latch shoulders. Lever arm I83 .is provided with the finger piece 202, as previously mentioned, so that the lever I 83 can be manually actuated or rotated around its pivot ISI. Lever I83 is provided with a projection I99 which cooperates with a stud I52 on the associated blocking lever I41 so that when the lever I83 is actuated upwardly or counterclockwise the projection I 99 cams the stud I52 leftwardly to rotate the blocking lever I41 clockwise about its pivot shaft I48 to bring the shoulder I5I of the blocking lever out of alignment or register with the forward end of the selectable lever 16.

As the lever I41 is thus rotated, the special lever I18 is also rotated therewith due to the interconnection therebetween by the bridge member I11. Then, .upon the receipt of the R and Y signals, the levers 16 corresponding to the R and Y code combination will be selectably operated so that the depending projections I96 thereon will operate the latch H6 through the U-shaped bar .II.1. Thus, upon receipt of the R and Y signals, the bail II 2 will be actuated from its solid line position to the dotted line ,position shown in Fig. 8 whereat it is no longer in alignment with the lug or projection I42 on the levers I 96. Therefore, the bail II 2 has no eifect upon the RY test mechanism. However, if a mis-selection should occur or a character should be received other than the R or Y signals, the bail II2 will not be released and in its oscillating movement the bail blade II 2 will co-act with the lug I42 to move or rotate the lever I96 counterclockwise about its pivot shaft 131 so that its lower end will strike the flange I95 of the lever I83 to cause the lever I63 to be rotated clockwise against the action of its spring 194 to bring the lateral flange I95 into engagement with the next shoulder or step 20I on the lever I82. Due to this action lever I82 is permitted to .rock or move counterclockwise by its spring I93 to bring the red area I61 into register with the aperture I9I to impart an appropriate signal to the operator. Furthermore, the lever I63 in rotating clockwise will permit the lever I41 to be rotated counterclockwise by its spring I46 to bring th shoulder I5I into vertical alignment with the end of the selectable bar 16 thus preventing 'further selection of the bars 16 of the R and Y signals.

The RY test is therefore completed and may be reset for further RY tests by manipulating the handle extension 202 :of the lever I83 to ro tate the lever I63 counterclockwise thus bringing the lever I 83 into the position shown in Fig. 8 whereat the flange I95 is again in engagement with the top shoulder or step. The RY test mechanism may be again brought into condition for RY test by manipulating the handle I85 of the lever I82 so as to rotate the lever I82 downwardly or clockwise thus bringing the laterally disposed flange I95 of lever I83 into engagement with the top shoulder of the lever I82 as shown in Fig. 8. Should it be desired to disable the RY test mechanism temporarily, the handle 202 extending from the lever I83 is manipulated to rotate the lever I83 clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 8, to bring the flange I95 into engagement with the shoulder 203 of the lever I82 whereat the lever I83 is locked or detained against the action of its spring I94, and the blocking levers I41 and I18 retain their vertical position with the shoulders II in vertical alignment with the ends of the selectable bars 16. During the RY test, and upon receipt of a mis-selection, the lever I83 is actuated clockwise to strike and operate a plunger 204 which may either control a contact to illuminate a lamp or to ring a bell, in a well known manner.

An alternate form of signal (or R-Y) testing device is shown in Fig. 15, which is electrical rather than mechanical. A contact 43I (similar to contact I62) is associated with the R selector lever (of the series of levers 18) exemplified by plunger I59 associated therewith, and contact 432 is likewise associated with the Y selector lever. Contacts 43I and 432 are connected in parallel with a slow-to-release relay 433, so that the energizing circuit for relay 433 is completed H from battery 434, through the winding of relay 433, and through either contact 43I or 432 to ground. Relay 433 controls a contact 435 which is included in a circuit extending from grounded battery 436, through contact 435, through manually operated switch 431, through lamp 438, and through alarm bell 439 to ground.

In the operation of the alternate form of signal testing device, the switch 431 (which is normally maintained open) is closed, and the R and Y test signals are received, the effect of which is to close contacts 43I and 432 alternately. The closing of either contact 43I or 432 will complete a circuit for energizing the relay 433. The armature of relay 433 will be attracted to open contact 435. Now, long as contact 435 is maintained open, the alarms 438 and 439 are not operating, indicating that the sequence of R and Y characters are correctly received, the slow-to-release relay 433 remaining energized so long as impulses are received from contacts 43I and 432. However, if one or more characters R and Y are omitted (or other characters are interpolated) the slow-to-release relay 433 will de-energize causing contact 435 to close to give the alarm.

In Figs. 11 and 12 are illustrated the mechanism for controlling the sixth vane 60. The vane 60 is not controlled by a lever 48 (Fig. 2) but is independently controlled in response to code signal combinations instead of a signal impulse. However, in the event a six unit code is used, vane 80 will respond to a signal impulse in the same manner as vanes to 59. Associated with the vane are a pair of jaw-like structures or members 206 and 201 pivotally carried on a shaft 208 extending between the side frames II and I2. Members 206 and 201 are provided with diametrically opposite, laterally disposed portions 209 and 2H which cooperate with members 2I2 and H3 having abutments 2I4 and 2I5. Members 2I2 and 2E3 are each provided with studs or pins 2H5 and Zn which cooperate with slots 2I0 in the lever I24. The pins 2I6 and 2H are normally held at the bottom of the slots 2I8 by individual springs 2l9 extending between the pins 2I6 and a laterally directed portion 22I on the members 2i2 and 2I3.

Upon the receipt of a shift or unshiit code signal the corresponding selectable bar 18 is actuated which through a pull bar I22 causes the associated lever I24 to be actuated upwardly (or counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 5). This action of lever I24 imparts through springs 2I9 vertical movement to its associated member 2I2 or 2 I 3 to bring the abutments 2 I 4 and 2 I 5 against the portions 209 and 2H, respectively. In the event the abutment 2I5 strikes the portion 2II the member 286 is rotated clockwise to swing the vane 60 into the position shown in Fig. 11. On the other hand, in the event that the abutment 2I4 strikes the portion 209 of the member 201, the member 291 is rotated counterclockwise to impart reverse rotation to the vane 60 to swing it to the position opposite to that shown in Fig. 11.

In the general operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to '1, the code combinations of signaling impulses are received by the selector magnet I4 (Fig. 2) and are effective through the armature lever I5 and the flutter lever 38 in cooperation with the flutter cam on the cam assembly 28 to actuate the selector lever 42. Upon receipt of the start impulse which is of spacing nature the magnet i4 is tie-energized and the selector lever 42 is actuated to operate the plunger 64, which has been explained in the afore-mentioned patent to initiate rotation of the cam assembly 23. During the rotation of the cam assembly 28 the cam lugs thereon sequentially actuate the rocking levers 24 which in turn actuate the swords I9, which in cooperation with the abutments on the selector lever 42 operates the T-lever 48 to actuate the selector bars 5| rightwardly or leftwardly in accordance with the signaling impulse conditions. As is explained in the afore-mentioned patent, the cam projection on the cam sleeve 28 which is known as the clutch trip off cam operates a clutch trip off lever 222 (shown in Figs. 1 and 4). Lever 222 is conformed to extend through the side plate I I and to be secured to a shaft 208 journaled in the side plates II and I2. At the opposite end of shaft 208 near side plate member I2 is secured a clutch release lever 223.

The main shaft clutch (Figs. 3, 3A, and 4), indicated generally as 225, is associated with a sleeve 226 fixed to the main shaft 29, and a sleeve 221 freely rotatable about the shaft 29. The sleeve 228 carries integral therewith a driving clutch member, and sleeve 221 carries a driven clutch member. The driving clutch member comprises a pair of oppositely related ratchet wheels 228 and 229 (Fig. 3), the teeth of one being staggered with respect to the other. The driven clutch member comprises a disc 23I integral with the sleeve 221 on which are carried a spring supporting extension 232 and a pawl carrying post 233. A pair of springs 234 and 235 are fixed to the extension 232 and normally tend to move pawls 235 and 231 individual to them in a direction so that the pawl teeth will engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheels 228 and 229. The teeth of the pawl are so related to the ratchet teeth that forward movement of the ratchetis imparted through pawl 236 to sleeve accept-4 2-27., and backlash is prevented-bypawl:23]. Pawl 236 is also provided with .a stop arm which is adapted to cooperate with the stop lever 223. Thus, when the pawl arm 238 strikes stop arm 223,.the pawl 238 rotates or rocks counterclockwise (as viewed in Fig. 3A) about pivot 233 thereby disengaging the tooth of pawl from the ratchet 229. Moreover, the disengagement oi pawl 236 in this manner will effect, through a stud 239 -(Fig. 3A), the disengagement of pawl 23! from ratchet 228.

Thus, when the stop arm 223 is actuated to fre the clutch 225 for a single cycle of rotation, the eccentrics NH and '32 .are operated. The

eccentric It! when operating rocks the shaft es,

and through a toggle connection oscillates bail 88 which, upon itsdownward movement permits the selectable bars 16 to sense the permutative setting of the vanes 55 to 60. As previously men tioned, the selectable bars it are provided with readily removable and interchangeable code elements 83, which facilitates any desirable arrangement of characters. The selectable bar iii which through its coded elements 8-3 is permitted to be selected by the vanes drops farther than c the remaining bars, to bring its shoulder l I 9 into engagement with the pull bar l22 if the extremity of bar 16 is not blocked by shoulder ISL Upon the upward movement of bailtll the selected bar 16 is returned and upon sodoing, the pull bar I22 associated therewith is elevated to rock the bar I24 counterclockwise.

At this point it should be mentioned that all of the blocking levers M! are normally in the vertical position shown in Fig. 5 with theshoul- 51" ders l 5! thereon blocking the selective movement of the bars 16.

The apparatus according to the present invention is adapted to respond to a predetermined sequence of code combinations to operate a contact to perform, or .to initiate the performance of, a desired function. For each code combine.- tion of the predetermined sequence there is provided a code bar it, a selection code element 83 cut for the specific code combination, a pull bar I22, an operating lever I24, a latching lever 136 and a blocking lever MT. The blocking lever I l! associated with the first code bar in the predetermined sequence is permanently held out of blocking position by a gate 65 (shown in Fig. 7)

so as to permit th selection of the first character of the predetermined sequence. With this exception, each blocking lever l i'l is normally positioned so as to block its associated code lever 16 and prevent it from operating. Accordingly, a succeeding blocking lever It! is moved only when a previous code combination is a correct one in the predetermined sequence, thus conditioning its associated code lever 83 and permitting its operation by the next code combination in the sequence. The operating lever i2 2 when raised by the pull bar I22 associated therewith becomes latched in its upper position by means of shoulder I43 of said latching lever i135.

Each group of code signals pertaining to a particular way station comprises conditioning codes followed by the station identification letters "of the way station from which transmission is de sired followed by further conditioning codes. For

example, in the system according to the present invention, such a group of code signals will comprise the following codes: carriage return? carriage return, letters, or unshift A, B, .C '(or other station identification characters). space and letters. Furthermore, the block 14 ring levers Tare arranged in accordance with this group of code signals and teachcode lever 83 .is identified by its identification plate '85. The gate [65 is inserted, as shown in Fig. 6, to hold the first blocking lever M1 which :initiates the predetermined sequence, in its unblocking position. Therefore, when the operating lever J24 associated with said first blocking lever 14! is actuated upwardly, it will mov the pin l52-of the second or succeeding blocking lever and opverate that blocking lever clockwise to the position shown in Fig. 6. Thus, the second blocking lever is controlled by the cam surface I53 of the firstcharacter operating lever E24 of the sequence or of the operating lever associated with the first code bar. After the first code bar is actuated by the first combination of the sequence it will move the blocking lever associated with the sec- .ond bar out of its blocking position to permit the second code barto operate should the proper code combination for the second bar be received.

.If the second code combination received is-the proper one, the second one of code bar 16 in the sequence will move down to latch with its corresponding pull bar Hi2, and the same operation takes place as was described for the first code combination. That is, the second bar 124 will condition the device .for the selection of the third, etc. The subsequent selections of the predetermined sequence proceed in a similar manner. If th sequence of incoming code combinations correspond exactly to the predetermined sequence of code bars, then their associated levers will operate successively to ultimately close certain contacts it! which control primary station equipment. The bail blade l2 at the proper time in the operating cycle unlatches the bar 124 and latching levers 135 of the preceding selection, thus making the selector code levers Hi responsive to the next code combination of the sequence.

A .feature of the selector mechanism according to this invention is its readiness at all times to respond to a predescribed sequence even though preceded immediately by a random incomplete predescribed sequence, by virtue of the fact that the code bar for the first character of the sequence is unblocked by the gate I65 and is always sensing the vanes to start a new sequence. As will be apparent hereinafter a predetermined group of code combinations, herein identified as the unlock code group will activate the primary or central controlling equipment in the ordinary manner to start transmission of the actuating codes for the next way station.

Having reference to Fig. 22, a diagram of a loop circuit comprising a central or master control station Elli and a plurality of way stations 502 connected serially by a signal line 503 is shown. There may be 75 or more way stations in the loop circuit. The central station, in addition to the electrical relay arrangement shown in Figs. 16 to 19 is provided with the apparatus disclosed in Figs. 1 to 14,-which is identified as 5% in Fig.

22. Also includedin the central station circuit are'tvvo tape transmitter units .565 and 506 which are of the construction shown in U. S..Patent No. 2,296,845, issued September 29, .1942, to M. I. Goetz. It is significant tonote that the transmitter units 555 and 5% are identified in Fig. 19 as transmitter units 256 and 253, respectively. The transmitter unit .506 (253 in Fig. 19 is controlled by the continuous loop of tape, previously described, containing the sequence collection .he'ading and station identification code signals of the series of stations included in the loop circuit. As previously mentioned, this loop of tape need be changed only when a rearrangement of the order in which way station transmission occurs is desired. The auxiliary transmitter 595 (256 in Fig. 19) is not controlled by a tape, but instead (as shown in Fig. 19) the distributor contacts 416 are connected over conductors 419 to the contacts of a set of relays for controlling the date-time signals, and the unlock code signal group. At the way stations 582 the system comprises, in addition to the relay arrangement shown in Fig. 21, the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 14 which is identified as 591 in Fig. 22. There is also included in the way station circuit a tape transmitter 598 similar to units 585 and 586.

An operating circuit according to the present invention is shown in Figs. 16 to 19, which figures are arranged as shown in Fig. 20, and the signal line is indicated as extending over conductor 251 through the stop contact 252 (normally closed) of the transmitting unit 253, over conductor 254, through the start-stop contact 255 (normally closed) of the auxiliary transmitter 256, over conductor 251 to junction 258, then over conductor 259, through contact 261 (now closed) of relay 262, over the conductor 263, through the winding of the line relay 264, then over the conductor 265 to the outgoing line. With the line closed there is marking current normally on the line, and the line relay 234 is normally energized to hold its armature 266 normally against the contact 261, thus completing a circuit extending from battery 268, over armature 266, through contact 261, over conductor 269 to junction 211, then over conductor 2'12, through the winding of the selector magnet 14 (of the sequential control unit shown in Figs. 1 to 4), then over the conductor 213, through contacts 214 of relay 262, to negative battery or ground. Since the relay 262 is unenergized at this time the contact 214 is closed. Since relay 215 is also unenergized at this time its contact 216 is also closed whereby a circuit is completed for the signal lamp 211 and buzzer 218 from positive battery, through the closed contact 216 and over the conductor 219.

With the circuit in the condition just described the operator closes the open line restart key 281, whereupon a circuit is completed for the energization of relay 215 extending from ground, through the winding of the relay 215, to the junction 282, then ove conductor 283 to junction 284, over conductor 285, through contact 281 (now momentarily closed), to battery 288. Relay 215 becomes locked up over a locking circuit extending from ground through the winding of relay 215 to junction 282, then through the contact 291 (now closed). over conductor 292 to junction 211, then over conductor 269, through marking contact 261 (still closed) to battery 268. Upon the energization of relay 215 and the opening of contact 216, the open line light 211 is extinguished, and the circuit for the buzzer 218 is also broken. When the relay 215 becomes energized it closes its contact 293 to prepare or condition circuits to be subsequently completed by the operation of contacts 294 and 295 through contact 296.

The next operation consists in operating the sequence start key and closing the contact 295 associated therewith. Upon the closure of contact 295, an energizing circuit for relay 282 is completed from battery 291, through contact 293 (now closed) of relay 215, over conductor 298, 7

through contact 296 (normally closed), over conductor 299 to junction 381, over conductor 362, through contacts 295 (now closed), over conductor 303, through contact 304 (now closed) of relay 395, ove conductor 306, and through the winding of relay 262 to negative battery or ground. Relay 262 upon energizing, opens its contact 261 to thereby open the line circuit, whereupon the line relay 264 becomes de-energized and the armature 266 is thereby moved to the spacing contact 381. Upon the closing of Contact 381 a circuit for energizing relay 288 is completed from battery 268, over armature 266, through the spacin contact 381 (now closed) of the line relay 264 then over conductor 308, and through the winding of relay 288 to negative battery or ground.

Following the energization of relay 288, an energizing circuit is established for relay 389 extending from positive battery 289, through contact 31 1 (now closed) of relay 288, over conductor 312, over bridge or tie wire 313, through contact 314 (now closed) of relay 262, over conductor 315 to junction 316, then through the winding of relay 389 to negative battery or ground. A substitute locking circuit for relay 215 is established (the one previously described having been opened at contact 261) the new locking circuit extending from battery 269, through contact 311, over conductor 312, then through contact 311 (now closed) of relay 262, then over conductor 318 to junction 284, then over conductor 283 to junction 282 and thence through the winding of relay 215 to negative battery or ground. Also upon the energization of relay 288 an energizing circuit for relay 3'13, associated with the counting chain relays, is

established from ground or negative battery,

through normally closed contact 312 in the auxiliary transmitting unit 259, over conductors 314 and 316, through contact 311, over conductor 319, through the winding of relay 313, through contact 381, over conductor 382, through contact 383 (of relay 394) over conductor 413, then through contacts 385 to 393 and 444 to 441, then ove conductor 464 to junction 348, over conductor 328, through strap 313, over conductor 312, and through contact 31 1 (now closed) of relay 2811 to battery 289. Relay 313 becomes locked up over the circuit extending from ground, through contact 312, over conductors 314 and 316, through contact 311 (still closed) of relay 318, over conducto 319, through winding of relay 313, through contact 465 (now closed), then over conductors 484 and 328, over strap 313, over conductor 312, and through contact 31 1 (still closed), to battery 289. Thus, upon the closing of the start contact 295 the foregoing circuits are established, and the sequential unit 3116 is started into operation since the circuit for the selector magnet 14 is broken upon the opening of contacts 214 associated with relay 262 which has just become energized. The sequential unit 388 responds to blank signals, and since the line circuit is broken at contact 261, these signals are not transmitted over the line wire.

The start key 295 is operated only momentarily sothat upon the closing of the contact 295 the foregoing circuits have been established, after which the start contact 295 is again opened. The circuit for relay 262 is broken by the opening of contact 295, however relay 262 remains energized for three tenths of a second before tie-energizing since it is a slow to release relay. Also when the relay262 finally de-energizes, its contact 261 closes, whereupon the signal line circuit previously traced is again closed and the line relay 264 is again energized to swing the armature 266 therecontacts 6 of the auxiliary transmitting unit 256, the transmitting contacts N1 of the counting chain relay 394 being closed. It is understood that the circuits through the transmitting contacts 6 and the counting chain contacts 4|1 are governed permutably by the setting of the switch 8 associated with the counting chain relay 394. The complete internal connections of only the switch M8 is shown. However, it should be understood that switches 438, 448, 458, 468 and 410 are similar to and are connected the same as switch 4l8. For example, in the position shown, the switch arms (of which there are in the present instance one arm 449 for indexing and arms 45! to 455 for establishing electrical connections according to the impulses in the code) are set for transmitting the code for the numeral 1, the code for which is I--2-3-5 marking. By way of example, the circuit through the transmitter 256 and switch 4I8 extends from one side of the line, over conductor 25I, through stop contact 252 (normally closed) of transmitter 253, over conductor 254, through contacts 255 and 6 (as they are sequentially operated) of transmitter unit 256, then over conductors 4 l 9, through contacts 411 (now closed) of relay 394, through the contacts of switch 8 in register with switch arms 45! to 455, over conductor 42| to junction 258, then over conductor 259, through contact 26l, over conductor 263, through the winding of line relay 264, and over line wire 265.

Contact 312 opens cyclically, and following the transmission of the first character of the datetime group under the control of relay 394 of the counting chain, as above described, the contact 312 is again opened momentarily to first break the locking circuit for relay 313 and then upon reclosing to establish an energizing circuit for relay 318 extending from ground or negative battery, through contact 312 (now reclosed), over conductor 314 to junction 315, then through contact 422 (now closed) of relay 313 (which has become de-energized due to the cyclic opening of contact 312 to break the locking circuit for relay 313), over conductor 423, through the winding of relay 318, over conductor 424, through contact 425 of the rnake-before-break contact, over conductor 426, through contact 421 (now closed) of relay 394 (still energized), over conductor 4|3, through contacts 385 to 393 and 444 to 441, over conductor 484, through contact 4 I of relay 334 (still closed) to battery 420. Relay 318 becomes locked up over the following locking circuit: From ground or negative battery, through contact 312, over conductor 314 to junction 315, through contact 422 (still closed), over conductor 423, through the winding of relay 318, over conductor 424, through make-before-break contact 430, then over conductor 404 and through contact 4l0 to battery 420.

The energization of relay 318 causes the closing of contact 428 to complete an energizing circuit for counting relay 395 from negative battery through contact 428, over conductor 429, through contact 43l (still closed) of relay 394, over conductor 432, through the winding of relay 395, over conductors 433 and 434, then through contacts 386 to 393 and 444 to 441, over conductor 404 and through contact 4 I 0 (still closed) of relay 334 to battery 420. The counting chain relay 395 is locked up over a locking circuit extending to its own contact 435 by substituting ground 436 for the ground previously described as associated with contact 428 of relay 318. Relay 394 becomes de-energized due to the opening of contact 385.

With the counting chain relay 395 operated, the second code combination of the data-time group is transmitted through the transmitting contacts MB of the auxiliary transmitting unit 256, the transmitting contacts 431 of the counting chain relay 395 being closed. The circuits through the transmitting contacts 4| 6 and the counting chain contacts 431 are, of course, governed permutably by the setting of the switch 438 associated with the counting chain relay 395. The circuit through the transmitter 256 and switch 438 extends from side 25! of the line to the side 265 thereof, as previously described in connection with the transmission of the first character under control of counting chain relay 394.

At the conclusion of the cycle wherein the second character is transmitted under control of relay 395, the contact 312 will again be momentarily opened to break the locking circuit for relay 318 to prepare the circuit again for relay 313, extending from negative battery through contact 312 (now closed), over conductors 314 and 316, through contact 311 (now closed) of relay 318, over conductor 319, through the winding of relay 313, through contact 38I (now closed), over conductors 382 and 456, through contact 451 (still closed) of relay 395, over conductor 434, through contacts 386 to 393 and 444 to 441, over conductor 494 and through contact 0 (still closed) to battery 420.

The energization of relay 313 causes the closing of contact 406 to complete an energizing circuit for counting relay 396 from negative battery, through contact 406, over conductor 401, through contact 456 (now closed), over conductor 459, through the winding of relay 396, over conductors 46| and 462, then through contacts 381 to 393 and 444 to 441, over conductor 404 and through contact 0 (still closed) of relay 334 to battery 420. The counting relay 396 is locked up over a locking circuit extending to its own contact 463 by substituting ground 464 for the ground previously described as associated with contact 406 of relay 313. Relay 395 becomes de-energized due to the opening of contact 386.

With the counting chain relay 396 operated, the third code combination of the date-time group is transmitted through transmitting contacts MB of the auxiliary transmitting unit 256, the contacts 465 of relay 396 being closed. As previously described, the circuits through the transmitting contacts H6 and the contacts 465 are governed permutably by the setting of switch 448. The circuit through the transmitter 256 and switch 448 extends from side 251 of the line to the side 265 thereof, as previously described in connection with the transmission of the first and second characters under control of counting chain relays 394 and 395.

Again, at the conclusion of the cycle wherein the third character is transmitted under the control of relay 396, the contact 312 will be momentarily opened to break the locking circuit for relay 313 to prepare the circuit again for relay 318. When relay 318 energizes, its contact 428 closes to complete a circuit for the next counting chain relay 391 through contact 466 (still closed) of relay 396 and terminating at battery 420. Then, when relay 391 energizes, its contact 461 closes to substitute the negative battery or ground 468 for ground associated with contact 428. The fourth code combination of the date-time group is then transmitted through contacts 469 and the permuted setting of contacts in the switch 458. 

